BSAA launches EMS AW169 in Sweden

Babcock Scandinavian Air Ambulance (BSAA) has launched an AW169 helicopter for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) operations, the company announced on 16 January.

The helicopter will be operated on behalf of Swedish hospital Region Jämtland Härjedalen, replacing the AS365 N2 Dauphin that the company has operated since 2006.

The helicopter features a host of customised solutions that are optimised for EMS. The helicopter’s cockpit is designed to deliver better situational awareness while allowing more advanced flight automation.

The base in Östersund is the first of four Swedish EMS helicopter bases that will replace its existing helicopters with the Leonardo AW169 in 2018. Next bases to replace existing helicopters are Gällivare, Lycksele and Gothenburg.

Thure Waplan, production manager, BSAA, said: ‘It's a big and historic event for us and for the region to finally get airborne - in active duty - with the AW169. The launch has been preceded by a long period of customisation and training to ensure the highest quality and safety right from the start, which means that we are very delighted to start our operations with such a capable helicopter.'